Disney Invites Reagan, Bands In From Cold

April 4, 1985|By Diane Hubbard Burns of The Sentinel Staff

President Reagan has a second chance to hear the 40 high school and college bands whose scheduled parade at his Jan. 21 inauguration was canceled because of Washington's cold weather, a Walt Disney World official said Wednesday.

Walt Disney World has invited the bands, representing schools throughout the country, to perform in a Memorial Day parade at Epcot Center and has asked Reagan to come see them.

''The White House has said the event has the president's enthusiastic support, and we are very optimistic about the chances of the president coming,'' said Michael Eisner, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Walt Disney Productions. Eisner announced plans for the May 27 ''President's Inaugural Bands Parade'' at a press conference at Epcot.

''All we know is it's on his Reagan's calendar,'' said Tom Elrod, Walt Disney World vice president for marketing. ''If he comes he will certainly review the parade and give the kids an opportunity to say they performed for the president.''

Eisner said that Days Inn, Greyhound Bus Lines and Burger King have agreed to provide reduced-price accommodations, travel and food for about 4,000 band members. The cost of the trip for band members is expected to be about $70 to $90 each.

They will arrive at Disney World May 25 and will receive passes to the theme park for that weekend. The parade will be held at Epcot's World Showcase on May 27.

''We are saluting America this summer at Epcot and I think it's appropriate that all those kids who saved their money to go to Washington and found themselves in 3 degree weather . . . will be able to come to sunny Central Florida,'' said Eisner. He said the idea for the parade came up at a regular management meeting.

Invitations were being issued to the bands Wednesday. The Riverview High School band in Sarasota is the only Florida band being invited. Disney spokesman John Dreyer said a preliminary survey of band representatives indicated at least half planned to take part. ''Based on that, we're confident there will be a good turnout,'' he said.